Notes from Queen Victoria to the Mediterranean

[Ray66]

No not just you, I can't see them, either on iPad or laptop. Sorry Hattie.

 

I don't see them straight away either. What I do is right click over the URL and then select "view image" and then I can see the photo all the time.

[Jules.]

I can see the photos no problem, viewing on iPhone SE using safari.

Wish I was on a ship sailing away!

[Wiltonian]

Some clarification on dress code from the Daily Programme

 

[ATTACH]427454[/ATTACH]

 

"Any guest ... are welcome". Oops!

 

Stuart

[Host Hattie]

Day 1

There were 6 cruise ships in Southampton today so we were expecting dreadful traffic. It turned out that the traffic round Salisbury was worse. We dropped our hire car off at the Enterprise depot opposite the railway station and after a discussion about a damaged tyre crossed the road and got a taxi from outside the station.

The terminal wasn't too busy at about 12 and we were onboard having lunch in the Golden Lion at 12.30 having dropped our carry on bags in our cabin.

After fish and chips, a pint of London Pride for him & a glass of Prosecco we found a sofa in the sun on Deck 9 for a pleasant hour.

Our luggage had arrived by the time we got back to the cabin so we made a start on unpacking with a little help from the Pol Acker and OJ.

Muster was as expected and we got up to the Lido pool in time to see us turning in front of Independence of the Seas to lead the sailout.

It was a very pleasant temperature and the band got people dancing. We met up with a few roll call members and treated ourselves to a couple of the mini bottles of champagne.

By the time we got back to the cabin I'd killed my room key (that must be a record).

We didn't have our dinning assignment card so I rang the restaurant and eventually got our table number and confirmation of second sitting. Our Steward initially told us he'd left it with the Daily Programme and then turned up with it looking a bit sheepish.

We were out by 8pm and managed to get seats at the bar in the Chart Room. The Australian gentleman next to us was jacket less and the bar tender very tactfully told him he should be wearing a jacket. He seemed genuinely surprised and I was impressed by the way she handled the situation. We waited for the initial queue to die down and were escorted to our table, for 6 by a window. A second couple arrived soon afterwards but we stayed as a 4. The waiter was obviously expecting another 2 as he didn't take our orders until 9pm.

New menus, see below. I had the risotto and duck, both small portions but very tasty. The sommeliers were busy as ever on the first night but we managed to get wine in a reasonable time.

We left just before 10.30, decided to give the show a miss and wandered into the end of the music quiz in the Golden Lion.

We called it a night at around 11.30, Changez were playing and the place was still pretty full.

I left our breakfast request on the door, now half hour time slots so I choose 9.30 to 10.

[Host Hattie]

Day 2

Our 9.30 - 10.00 breakfast arrived at 9.55 and we managed to get ourselves organised enough to go to the second two lectures of the day. Caroline Aston was entertaining but the second speaker's lecture didn't cover the subjects promised. I got a new keycard and asked for a statement to check our Onboard credit was correct (it was).

We stopped in the Chart Room for a light lunch and then I met Kate from our Cruise Critic roll call in the Commodore Club.

We had an afternoon snooze and then enjoyed the sun on our balcony for an hour or so before getting ready for Black and White night. We went to the Commodore Club for a pre-Cocktail party cocktail but enjoyed it so much we didn't actually make the party. The combination of cocktails, canapes and whale watching was enough to keep us there. Thank you for the recommendation of an Aviation.

A gentleman wandered in without a jacket and was reminded of the requirements and sent elsewhere.

We were a 6 for dinner, joined by 2 ladies who had been on a different table last night and had been asked if they wouldn't mind moving. It was a tough choice, I had the Surf & Turf and Mr HH had lamb. Another good dinner.

We gave the show a miss for the end of another music quiz in the Golden Lion run by the delightfully eccentric Laura. The Royal Court Theatre orchestra then set the place alight with a really good set of Rock & Roll and R&B. The pub was packed.

A great sea day and another one to look forward to.

[Lliber15]

Thank you so much for your great posts, we join in Barcelona on the 10th and you are making even more special with yours posts, they're so informative but fun too. Having sailed QV only once before I didn't realise you could get a lighter lunch in the chart room, have a lovely day today.

[Glenndale]

Hi Hattie, Is Laura 'Sunshine' staying on board for the Med season?

We board on the 22nd and it would be lovely to see her again :cool:

[Victoria2]

Hi Hattie, Is Laura 'Sunshine' staying on board for the Med season?

We board on the 22nd and it would be lovely to see her again :cool:

If you mean Laura Gratten [a member of Victoria's ents team this year and QE's last year] I can't think of a better term for her [apart from delightfully eccentric]. Cunard should bottle her enthusiasm and wonderful personality and sell it. They'd make a fortune.

[Host Hattie]

Hi Hattie, Is Laura 'Sunshine' staying on board for the Med season?

We board on the 22nd and it would be lovely to see her again :cool:

I'll try to find out

[Host Hattie]

Day 3 At Sea

 

Our 9.00-9.30 room service breakfast arrived at 9.02 ! We've worked out a way to get decent tea for both of us, order peppermint tea from room service (it's not on the menu I write it on) use the less than ideal temperature water to fill the kettle and use the reboiled water and pot to make English Breakfast tea. I'm happy with the mint tea in a mug [emoji33]

We both had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, not a huge portion but tasty. We had a brief stroll on deck before finding a box in the theatre for Caroline Aston's second lecture on royal bad boys. We managed to get a couple of comfy chairs by the Pavilion pool when the Captain announced that we were passing a pod of pilot whales on the port side, we were nearly trampled in the rush to catch a glimpse.

We had a quick look at the ice carving (it was a fish) before heading to the Britannia restaurant for our first daytime visit this cruise. Lunch followed by the World Club wine tasting, nice to have it early in the cruise, at least there is a chance we might order one of them. 4 wines from Chile at the $40 to $50 price range. Back to the balcony for a bit of afternoon sun.

We tried to watch some television but both the channels and times seem to be out of sync !

We headed to the Commodore Club again, no glorious sunset this evening but hot canapes again. The place was packed. We were the same six for dinner and had another pleasant time. Our Sommelier was a rather busy. The 2 ladies ordered glasses of wine and at one point had our table waiter and the Maitre D' trying to hunt him down.

I had Grilled Octopus, Saddle of Lamb and Crepes Suzette, there were comments that the lamb was a little fatty but I enjoyed it.

We got a box in the theatre for the comedian, Jeff Stephenson, we've seen him before but he was still entertaining. The theatre was pretty full, I noticed 2 or 3 men without jackets but I don't think that's much different to before the dress code changes. No cardigans in evidence.

We moved to the Golden Lion to order a drink and then to the Queens Room to watch the dancers in action.

Clocks go forward tonight and our room service breakfast plans were thwarted by the lack of an order form/hanger. I can't see us making 9.30 breakfast.

 

 

Edited September 3, 2018 by Host Hattie

[Host Hattie]

Thank you so much for your great posts, we join in Barcelona on the 10th and you are making even more special with yours posts, they're so informative but fun too. Having sailed QV only once before I didn't realise you could get a lighter lunch in the chart room, have a lovely day today.

Thank you, glad you are enjoying them. You might see me in Barcelona, I'll be the one kicking and screaming as I'm dragged off the ship.[emoji25]

[Lliber15]

Hi Kate, I know on a previous thread you asked about things to do in Port whilst on your Mediterranean sojourn, I've attached a link to Palacio de Musica - http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/programme_314?date=2018-09-10&subset=upcoming - there is a performance on 10th (Flamenco and Spanish Guitar) - the building is a UNESCO heritage site - I know you mentioned you are staying in Barcelona for a couple of days. Have a lovely day...are there still Yoga classes onboard?

[picsa]

Our Sommelier was a rather busy. The 2 ladies ordered glasses of wine and at one point had our table waiter and the Maitre D' trying to hunt him down.

 

Ours was fine, but I had bribed him on the first evening to ensure good service.

 

I had Grilled Octopus, Saddle of Lamb and Crepes Suzette, there were comments that the lamb was a little fatty but I enjoyed it.

 

You were lucky, my lamb almost got sent back.

 

We got a box in the theatre for the comedian, Jeff Stephenson, we've seen him before but he was still entertaining.

 

And all the more amusing due to the stream of people turning up after the show had started (see other thread).

 

The theatre was pretty full, I noticed 2 or 3 men without jackets but I don't think that's much different to before the dress code changes.

 

There was one chap in the Commodore Club from 7 to 8.30 not wearing a jacket (not me) and the waiters made no mention and continued to serve him.

[Host Hattie]

Ours was fine, but I had bribed him on the first evening to ensure good service.

 

 

 

You were lucky, my lamb almost got sent back.

 

 

 

And all the more amusing due to the stream of people turning up after the show had started (see other thread).

 

 

 

There was one chap in the Commodore Club from 7 to 8.30 not wearing a jacket (not me) and the waiters made no mention and continued to serve him.

Are you on this cruise ?

[picsa]

Are you on this cruise ?

 

I am - the comedian joking about the Spice Girls turning up late and the couple from Sandbanks if you have any doubt.

[Host Hattie]

I am - the comedian joking about the Spice Girls turning up late and the couple from Sandbanks if you have any doubt.

Not at all, just checking.

[Host Hattie]

Day 4 At sea/Gibraltar

As expected we missed breakfast but had a couple of pastries in the comfy seats by the Pavilion pool watching the sail in to Gibraltar. Several dolphin sightings, there was a haze over the top of the rock but otherwise it looked a lovely day.

The balconies above ours were being painted so now I have a nice white blob of paint on a skirt ! It's an old one so I'm too bothered but it could have been worse.

We were due to arrive at 12 noon but gangways were out and first passengers disembarking at 11am.

We were off the ship not much later and took the shuttle minibus into town £4 return, an increase of £1 since our last visit in November 2016.

We had a stroll round town and a nice lunch at Queensway Quay, stocked up on essentials and got the shelter back. We were back onboard by about 4pm, sailaway is at 6pm.

I had a quick swim in the Pavilion pool, much needed after a warm day in town.

 

Edited September 3, 2018 by Host Hattie

[Host Hattie]

Front of today's Daily Programme

[Host Hattie]

Hi Kate, I know on a previous thread you asked about things to do in Port whilst on your Mediterranean sojourn, I've attached a link to Palacio de Musica - http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/programme_314?date=2018-09-10&subset=upcoming - there is a performance on 10th (Flamenco and Spanish Guitar) - the building is a UNESCO heritage site - I know you mentioned you are staying in Barcelona for a couple of days. Have a lovely day...are there still Yoga classes onboard?

Thank you, yes yoga classes for a fee are at 9 am.

[doghouse2]

HH

Enjoy your comments and pictures (no problem seeing them). I'm curious about your embarkation process. I'm impressed by how quickly you were able to get on the ship. 45 minutes from the car hire drop off to being on board is very quick. How crowded was the terminal? Were you there at your (Cunard) scheduled time? I assume you are a diamond level Cunarder, did that help?

Rarely have I had such success as you on the boarding time whether it is in Southampton, New York, Dubai, etc. Thanks for any clarification.

[Host Hattie]

HH

Enjoy your comments and pictures (no problem seeing them). I'm curious about your embarkation process. I'm impressed by how quickly you were able to get on the ship. 45 minutes from the car hire drop off to being on board is very quick. How crowded was the terminal? Were you there at your (Cunard) scheduled time? I assume you are a diamond level Cunarder, did that help?

Rarely have I had such success as you on the boarding time whether it is in Southampton, New York, Dubai, etc. Thanks for any clarification.

Thank you, we're Platinum and had a 12.30 embarkation time so we were a little early. That's been fairly typical of our recent experience in Southampton. The terminal was fairly quiet when we arrived and I didn't have time to fill in the Health form before we went to a desk.

There was a bit of a queue for security but nothing to delay us much, although Mr HH managed to leave his mobile phone in his pocket so he had to go back through the scanner.

We were delayed at the Enterprise depot by a discussion about a damaged tyre and missing parcel shelf (both now resolved I hope).

Edited September 3, 2018 by Host Hattie

[Host Hattie]

Oh, don't forget to check off "Pol Acker consumed/discarded/used as jewelry cleaner" on your CC treasure hunt list, which ever box is appropriate.

Here you go

[bluemarble]

Here you go[ATTACH]427697[/ATTACH]

 

Excellent. Looks like you are doing quite well on your Cruise Critic treasure hunt. Do you think those "2 or 3 men without jackets" in the theatre count as "miscreant lemmings" or should we hold to a higher (lower) standard for that such as t-shirts, shorts, or baseball caps? :D

[Summergee]

Hattie, you said about not having enough time to fill in the health form. We found a link in FAQs and have been printing it off and filling it in before we leave home.

[Officeboy]

We are loving your daily reporting, notice that there is a changed menu in the Verandah till Saturday will have to check out what it will change to.

Boarding on Saturday, Kate, looking forward to meeting you at the M & G on Sun morning

 

Peter

Edited September 4, 2018 by Officeboy
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